The birth of 'pseudo-conservatives'
a reflection on the debate on 'countering left-liberal dominance in India'
The backdrop:
There is an uncomfortable silence; the new born 'Internet Hindus' movement has been successfully labeled fanatic by left media and some unwitting admissions by some claiming to be on 'Internet Hindus' has frustrated the right-liberals.
(A loud bass drum beat dampens and the curtain opens. The dark room is lit by a laptop screen )
(Protagonist: speaks)
The left media has the upper hand and power to change public opinion as we have seen in the recent past. It is now the moderator of public debate or decider of, whether there should be one and when there is one, on what. This upper hand is achieved and guarded by certain tactics, least of them which is 'plain dishonesty'. So many who think it is a battle of political ideas are misplaced by miles. In other words political ideas are to some extent irrelevant. Oh, I am Tirumala by the way; son of late Vidwan Ranganatha Shastry. I was saying something in the line of, "political ideas are, to some extent, irrelevant because it is dishonesty that is at the heart of this saga of dismissing conservatives". Yes, my father was a conservative Brahmin from a village of 6 houses on the foot hills of Sahyadri mountains. Oh yes, it is more familiar as Western Ghats; so much is the influence of left-liberals. Many do not want to be seen as regressive conservatives you see. So do they chose more fashionable ones like Western Ghats.
You see the problem with defending is it does not allow us to attack. As long as we do not attack and force the left liberals to defend, we have not done anything. I mean, it is much easier to hit back rather than cry "Mummy he hit me" only to gain some sympathy, that too if at all. So defending and pointing holes in the their arguments is of little use, until they are on defensive. My father told me, I must note, "the goal of political ideas is to improve the condition of people and all who try in their own way, must be respected". Therefore to me and my friends left-liberalism is not a major problem, if I can get friends to agree on this one. The problem is in their intolerance to dissent, fortification disproportionate claim to opinion and marginalisation of some core Indian ethos for the sake of their personal benefit rather than their political ideas.
"I will need some Kashaya (warm drink) now and I will continue"
(grabs some from a Kashaya maker and starts sipping)
Now, I can go on for a while if you are not bored yet. I just finished reading transcripts of a debate:
"Challenging Left Liberalism". I like the idea. But you see their energy is misdirected. What we actually need to challenge is a community of people who use "Left Liberalism" label and discredit all the rest. They are nothing but a privileged bunch that is hell bent to protect the privilege of influence disproportionate to their number and intellect (among other things) or all things related at any cost. A scholar always accepts possibility of fallibility. 'left liberals' are infallible.
A peaceful protest is never a fundamental right but fanaticism is, if you go by "scholars" or their type. Some even think " It’s time the country extends democratic rights to those who offend fragile sensitivities" (Yes! These are Swap Dasgupta's sapane, yaani dreams).
Not so gently he calls a collective of Hindus on the Internet "Virtual Jihadees". Well this is not so indirect and is vague intentionally so he can "explain" what is what and which word means what in English (Tharoor syndrome!). Dear Dasu (Dasgupta), we are not stupid. Now, there is this usual comparison to fundamentalists so you can easily put a cow and a tiger in the same cage. That is right-of-centre opinion for you, the Dasgupta style.
That is why we have what is called the 'birth of pseudo-conservatives' (Indian style). Who pretend to be conservatives but play the rules of dishonest individuals in the ghetto of 'left-liberalism'. They claim to be right wingers in 'liberal-space' (never mind it means nothing;just a space filler!). I call them pseudo conservatives, because, they are dishonest just like pseudo-liberals. Otherwise why would, for instance, Dasgupta write, "It is not that anyone really objects to the Internet Hindus or Internet Islamists having their say, decorously.". Is it that Dasgupta does not know English or is it his clever forgetfulness? The cognate of Internet Hindus is Internet Muslims. In one stroke of a 'pseudo-conservative' Internet Hindu becomes a fanatic Hinduist!!.
Never mind enjoy a thought for the midnight:
Sagarika says:
"@democratically haha, yes Internet Hindus was certainly my coinage, now passed into mainstream usage..!!"
Sri rama where are you? At least on Rama Navami let competent Indians take control.
(gtalk call rings Tirumala runs to his laptop to pick up gtalk online. drum beats, curtain closes)
[1] tHE dEBATE
[2] aPNE sAPANE
@Swapan Dasgupta, I wish to make some clarifications. I now recognise that you were referring to some 'hardline' Hindus whoes passion for religion is close to that of Islamists. I can agree with your argument in that case. But unfortunately, I think, your article does not make it clear who exactly is referring to by not excluding a part that is on the Internet which is intellectually challenging to liberals and pseudo friends, and brutally frank as well. I take back some of my sarcastic tones in this light.
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